Immunogenic antigens of shigella

Abstract

A vaccine for protection against multiple serotypes of Shigella sp., comprising a putative heat shock protein (EL PGI II), and Hypothetical Protein (EL PGIV) is provided.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method of inducing an immune response in an organism, comprising administering to the organism an immunogenic amount of an immunogenic composition comprising a putative heat shock protein having the sequence consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1 and/or SEQ ID NO: 2, and a hypothetical protein having the sequence consisting of SEQ ID NO: 3 and/or SEQ ID NO: 4. 
     
     
       2. A method of detecting the presence of antibodies against  Shigella  in a sample obtained from an organism comprising:
 contacting a sample derived from the blood of an organism suspected of being infected by  Shigella  with a protein comprising a putative heat shock protein and a hypothetical protein; and 
 detecting binding of the protein to one or more antibodies against  Shigella.    
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the putative heat shock protein has the sequence of SEQ. ID No: 1 and the hypothetical protein has the sequence of SEQ. ID No: 3. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered at least twice, and wherein a first dose includes an adjuvant including inactivated mycobacteria, and wherein a second dose includes an adjuvant that does not include an inactivated mycobacteria. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 2 , where the detecting step comprises use of an immunosorbent assay.